Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand, Parish President John Young and members of the Greater New Orleans/Jefferson Gun Buy Back Committee are hosting two gun buyback events on Saturday on both the east bank and West Bank.

It will mark the third year that the parish has held the events, which allow residents to turn in working handguns, rifles and shotguns to authorities for cash. Residents do not have to answer any questions about their weapons and payments will range from $50 for handguns, rifles and shotguns, to $200 for assault rifles.

Authorities will set up at the Second Zion Baptist Church at 6520 Second Zion Avenue in Marrero and Marine Baptist Church at 3034 Andover Street in Metairie starting at 9 a.m. Cash will be handed out until all funds are exhausted, and residents who attend can also receive a free health screening on site.

Normand said collaboration between law enforcement, non-profits and businesses is necessary to curb gun violence in the community. Last year the program collected 300 guns, and only six of those guns had been reported stolen. Often, residents turn in guns because they are no longer comfortable with having them in their homes. He said the participation by residents shows that many people in the community "give a damn."

"It's a holistic approach to dealing with violence on the streets," Normand said. He added that officials understand that gun buybacks alone will not stop violent crime, but they still have an impact. "Our threshold is really pretty low, if we're able to save one life we've had a successful year."

Young said the parish sees the benefit of the program, which is why Councilman Byron Lee dedicated $8,000 from his discretionary funds for the program. Westwego Councilman Glenn Green also donated $2,000 from his discretionary funds. And First NBC has dedicated $10,000.

"Every year we get more guns off the street," Young said.

Officials said they have accumulated a total of $20,000 to make payments at the gun buyback, and it's possible that donations could still come in this week. Residents are asked to bring the unloaded weapons to the sites in their trunks, or rear of their cars. The weapons are checked in law enforcement systems for any possible matches, and then taken to another location for destruction, Normand said.

The gun buyback was instituted following the death of a 7-year girl who was wounded during a shootout at an apartment complex in Metairie.